Ouch - Monday

DONNA Well everyone else told the events of the day. We woke up and went back over to Chinatown because the kids really wanted to get those figures done. While we were walking down the heavily populated Chinese streets, I noticed a shop that said "Reflexology". I wanted to try it, since my back has been killing me since we got here (since the long plane ride) and thought....well, it can't hurt (or so I thought). And I thought it would be fascinating to try "the real deal". We went into the shop and there were chairs lined up, much like a barber shop in a row, and one Chinese man with his eyes closed leaning back and getting his feet....how should I say this....rubbed? Attacked? It looked to me like the man doing the reflexology was doing everything possible to break every bone in this man's foot, but he wasn't even flinching. I thought no, can't do this...and the practitioner looked up and said want to try?? So I said no way, you're not doing that to me and he said no no, he is regular (poor English spoken here, as in most of the Chinese areas and with cab drivers!). I thought I would give it a try. Winslow wanted to try it to for his plantar fasciiitis, so we sat down on the barbershop chairs and the man made a phone call and two more older Chinese men came from somewhere to work on us. Thankfully the man who worked on me was not so rough. Was it pleasant? No. But he didn't try to crush my bones, and it didn't feel like he was doing anything really wrong. Sort of good pain, if that makes any sense. Winslow on the other hand was being punched repeatedly in the lower legs, pounded, etc. but he was fine with it. When we were done, the only man who spoke any English asked me if I wanted to have my back worked on directly. I thought why not. Again, I kept thinking, this is an experience. How often do I get to try this kind of thing and it will be cool to remember. Winslow took the kids to the shops and I went in the back with the man, and he had me lie down on the massage table. Clothes still on. No new age music here, no incense, nothing spa-like about it. Charts of pressure spots on feet hands and body were all over the walls. He started to rub my back HARD. Too hard. I tried to grin and bear it but eventually made him stop. NO that hurts too much, sorry. OH, he said. I have another idea. At which point he starts putting on rubber gloves and pulling out various suction looking devices, bowls, and saying this will hurt a lot more than the massage but for a shorter amount of time. So I said....what are you doing? I was ready to leave but really felt no fear, just curiosity because still it was fascinating to me. For some reason I thought to ask....this doesn't involve needles, does it? He said yes, needles..I draw out the fluid. NO WAY, I said,,,,.my husband is a physician, he would freak if I let someone outside of a hospital or sterile office stick needles in me. Somewhat insulted, he said ok, no needles. So I thought he was going to try massage again but instead he put a sort of suction cup thing in one spot on my lower back (the place where it hurt) and did something to start suction..and OUCH GET THAT OFF OF ME! So he did. And I left. I couldn't stop laughing all the way back to the rest of the family. I wonder if he had leeches in his bag of tricks too. It was really funny until I showed Winslow the spot where he did it....and he said holy cow, look at that!! I have a HUGE circle bruise on my lower back and yes my back is still sore after all of that. What an experience. Should have stuck with the reflexology. After meeting up with the kids, did some shopping and visited the Hindu Temple. When I asked Wills to put his arm around one of the female statues in the Temple so I could take a picture, he told me it was disrespectful and he was right. The best thing about a trip like this is being with the kids for so much concentrated time and getting to know them in ways you might not otherwise. Got lots of great pictures at the temple, then took the highly organized subway to India Town. Strong smells, bright colors from the men making flower necklaces. It once again gave us that "I can't believe I am here" feeling. Actually we have all said that at one point or another during the past couple of days. Pinch me, this is too amazing, I can't be here I must be dreaming. We ate at the Banana Leaf as told by everyone else. Loved it. Then back here....Wills and I hung out and watched tv while Winslow took the girls across the street for a carnival. Nana died last night. She was 104, we think. I felt horrible missing her funeral. I'm so sorry Dad. But I'm glad we all got to visit her last weekend and say goodbye. I'm so glad the kids got to know her very well and she will live forever as a special part of their memories, and in mine.

ReflexologyMan Originally uploaded by DonnaM123.